[Grammar] differences between should, ought to and had better

[englishlesson88]

Hi at all!
I know that the modal verb "should" is used to give advices, "had better" is used to give advices for something specific and "ought to" is about moral meaning however...could you tell me the strict differences between the modal verb "should", "ought to" and "had better"?
Do they require different tenses, forms?

thanks

 

[teechar]

Hi [STRIKE]at[/STRIKE] all!
I know that the modal verb "should" [STRIKE]is[/STRIKE] can be used to give advice, that "had better" is used to give advice for something specific, and "ought to" is about moral meaning. However, could you tell me the strict differences between [STRIKE]the modal verb[/STRIKE] "should", "ought to" and "had better"?
Do they require different tenses, forms?

Thanks.

I don't know if you're aware of it, but we've had a few threads recently that are related to your question. Here's one for a start:

https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/246991-ought-to-should

Also, have a look at some of the threads in the search results below:
https://www.usingenglish.com/search/?q=had better

If you still need help/clarification, post back.

 

[englishlesson88]

Hi teechar!
So the thing is that "ought to" can be replaced always by "should", but not viceversa. However...I still have not clear their correct usage. Making a resume: "should" is used for general advices and is the only verb which admits interrogative form. "Had better" gives advices but is used in particular situations and "ought to" is used for moral advices, right?

thanks

Please...be patient with my stubbordness :roll:

 

[teechar]

Hi teechar! Please be patient with my stubbornness. :roll:

Hi englishlesson88. You should call it "persistence"; that's a nicer word.

So the thing is that "ought to" can always be replaced [STRIKE]always[/STRIKE] by "should", but not vice versa.

That's correct.

However, I am still [STRIKE]have not[/STRIKE] unclear about their correct usage. [STRIKE]Making a resume:[/STRIKE] For example, "should" is used for general advice [There is no such word as "advices".]

That's correct.

and is the only verb which admits interrogative form.

I don't know what you mean by that. Provide examples if you can.

"Had better" is used to give advice but is used in particular situations

"Had better" is somewhat stronger than "should." Sometimes it's used to give a warning or even a threat.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/better?q=had+better

and "ought to" is used for moral advice, right?

Sometimes (in some contexts), yes; otherwise, it's just the same as "should", as we've agreed above. ;-)

Thanks.

You're welcome.

 

[englishlesson88]

Hi teechar!
By "and is the only verb which admits interrogative form" I mean that only "should" requires interrogative form. It is a question.

 

[teechar]

Hi teechar!
By "and is the only verb which admits interrogative form" I mean that only "should" [STRIKE]requires[/STRIKE] has an interrogative form.

Now I see what you mean. :idea:

However, that's not true strictly speaking. The interrogative forms of "ought to" and "had better" do indeed exist, but they're more formal and less common.

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/modals-and-modality/ought-to

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/modals-and-modality/had-better